PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico, July 11. WELCOME back to our loyal readers. After unveiling my early women's picks for the World Championships a week ago, I've been itching to reveal my preliminary selections for the men's competition. As the competition begins and psych sheets become finalized, it's my intent to release my final choices. Thanks to you all for your thoughts and comments, and we look forward to more give-and-take this week. So, without further ado, here is where I'm leaning for the guys.

50 Freestyle

Gold: Cesar CieloSilver: Fred BousquetBronze: Nathan Adrian**This is an event that could surely change depending on the outcome of Cesar Cielo's hearing with CAS in light of a failed drug test.

800 FreestyleGold: Sun YangSilver: Ous MellouliBronze: Ryan Cochrane**A near-miss in the 400 free is eased with a victory over twice the distance.

1500 FreestyleGold: Sun YangSilver: Ous MellouliBronze: Ryan Cochrane**Can the most vaunted record on the books, Grant Hackett's historic performance, survive the onslaught of Sun? Time will tell if Sun is can do it, or is too worn down by his previous races.

BASKING RIDGE, New Jersey, July 4. WITH less than three weeks separating us from the start of the World Championships in Shanghai, we begin our predictions for the competition with a look at the women's events. In two weeks, we'll provide picks for the men's events. We look forward to hearing your thoughts as well.

50 Freestyle

Gold: Ranomi KromowidjojoSilver: Britta SteffenBronze: Therese Alshammar**The way the Dutchwoman has been performing this year prevented my selection of the reigning Olympic titlist.

200 FreestyleGold: Federica PellegriniSilver: Kylie PalmerBronze: Allison Schmitt**The way Palmer looks heading into Shanghai, she made me pause for a second before going with the incumbent.

400 FreestyleGold: Rebecca AdlingtonSilver: Federica PellegriniBronze: Camille Muffat**This event should provide one of the finest duels of the women's competition. Expect Chloe Sutton to make a push for a podium position.

800 FreestyleGold: Rebecca AdlingtonSilver: Chloe SuttonBronze: Kate Ziegler**The pick of Ziegler sneaking in for the bronze medal is a hunch that she'll ratchet it up for her first World Champs since 2007.

1500 FreestyleGold: Chloe SuttonSilver: Lotte FriisBronze: Kate Ziegler**The longer the race, the better for Sutton. Not only is she an extreme talent, she's one of the more likable people in the sport. Everything about Sutton oozes a feel-good sense.

50 BackstrokeGold: Aya TerakawaSilver: Anastasia ZuevaBronze: Gao Chang**Not going to lie. I'm not a fan at all of the 50-meter stroke events. My preference sits with the Olympic program.

100 BackstrokeGold: Aya TerakawaSilver: Natalie CoughlinBronze: Anastasia Zueva**Terakawa put down the world's top time of the year in April, but Coughlin has the experience and it wouldn't be a surprise if the two-time Olympic champ ruled.

200 Individual MedleyGold: Ariana KukorsSilver: Stephanie RiceBronze: Ye Shiwen**Alicia Coutts would have been a medal pick, but her 100 fly final earlier in the night will take some out of the Australian.